Oksana Chusovitina of Uzbekistan performed on the balance beam during the women's artistic gymnastics qualification at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan, July 25, 2021. [Xinhua/Cao Can]

No one could have ever predicted that an athlete's career in the seemingly ever-changing artistic world of gymnastics could have been as long as that of Oksana Chusovitina is now. 

Now aged 48, the Uzbek elite gymnast continues to transcend expectations and demonstrate unparalleled dedication in the sport. 

When questioned about her return to gymnastics following a contemplated retirement at the Tokyo 2020 Summer Olympics, Chusovitina said that external factors briefly influenced her decision. However, she reaffirms the importance of listening to one's inner calling, a lesson she has carried within herself throughout her career.

"I like the excitement of pushing yourself to prove that you can do it despite your age," Chusovitina told the Global Times in an exclusive interview. 

"My body and soul both feel like I can still do it, and it has been a great source of pleasure for me in life, so I returned to the sport."

Competing against herself

Her love for the sport has successfully motivated the vault specialist to compete at the elite level.

"I like what I do probably because I love gymnastics and it's a source of pleasure for me. I also want to see whether it is or isn't possible [to return to the sport]," she said. 

"I do not compete with anyone else. I compete with myself. To me, human capabilities are boundless, so why shouldn't I do what I love?"

Chusovitina has set her sights on the upcoming Hangzhou Asian Games, which are to be held from September 23 to October 8 in Hangzhou, capital city of East China's Zhejiang Province. 

Participating in the Asian Games also means she has to skip the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships to be held between September 30 and October 8 this year due to scheduling conflicts.

While acknowledging difficulties in prioritizing what is important to her, Chusovitina has been dedicated to compete in the Asian Games which underscores her relentless commitment to the pursuit of her goals.

"You can't sit on two chairs at once. I want to represent my country at a high level and get the best results I possibly can," said the vault multi-medal winner. "I decided to focus on the Asian Games because I will also have enough time to prepare for the Olympic Games."

The veteran shows no sign of slowing down. Earlier in June this year, Chusovitina displayed her athleticism at the Asian Championships, earning a silver medal in the vault while competing against gymnasts mainly in their teens and early 20s. 

If Chusovitina makes it to the Paris 2024 Olympics, it will be a historic ninth Olympic appearance for her since her debut in 1992 as part of the Unified Team consisting of former Soviet Union states.

Support from family

Chusovitina's glittering career has not been without its ups and downs. Amid the medals won, there were hard, personal times that only served to refocus not only her passion for gymnastics, but also her love for her family. 

Chusovitina's journey took a tragic turn when her son was diagnosed with a life-threatening illness, at which point gymnastics gave her an anchor. The experience molded her character, enabling her to make swift decisions and strike a balance between her roles as a mother and a professional athlete.

Chusovitina maintains that competing to raise money for her son, diagnosed with leukemia, has not changed her competitive spirit. "My son helped me get through the grief and the sport saved me," Chusovitina said.

"Sentimentality doesn't have any place in my decision-making process. This is my job, and I combine and balance everything just like anybody else in any other profession."

She also noted that the support from her family has been a great source of peace, allowing her to remain both physically and mentally prepared throughout her career.

"I know that behind me is a strong support system that's always there to help me," she explained. 

Chusovitina's unwavering stability - both physical and psychological - stems from her family's support and lessons instilled in her by her late father. Her calm demeanor and resolve are a testament to the nurturing home environment that has accompanied her career.

"My dad is unfortunately no longer with us, but when he was alive he warned that I couldn't simply leave a sport halfway once I started. He encouraged me to see it to the end, and this advice continues to inspire me to this day."

Chusovitina's unyielding belief in limitless human potential drives her to strive for excellence, inspiring both fellow athletes and fans alike. 

Having to compete alongside young gymnasts, Chusovitina dismissed any notion of an advantage on her part due to her age and experience. To her, the sport provides a level playing field in which the strongest and most prepared athlete prevails. 

"I am very pleased to be so well respected. But we are all equal on the platform and we are judged the same way," she told the Global Times. "If you feel that you can go on, never give up. If you have a goal, you must push forward toward your goal."

Chusovitina underscored the importance of having a positive mind-set among younger athletes embarking on their careers, as her own career exemplifies the power of persistence and the potential for success even in the face of setbacks.

"Try to be positive and never ever give up. There are times when it's really bad, but at that particular moment, you are perhaps one or two steps away from everything being fine, so you don't have to stop in any case, no matter how hard it is," said Chusovitina encouragingly. 

"I have always believed that if I keep moving forward, then everything will end well."

Team position earned 

After having represented multiple nations - the former Soviet Union, independent states, Germany, and Uzbekistan - Chusovitina clarified that her dedication to her chosen sport always remains unwavering regardless of the flag she represents.

"It is much more pleasant to represent your home country as it affects the soul differently," the 1992 Barcelona Olympic gold medalist said. 

"But we are athletes and being in any country, you must prove that you earned your place in the team; you must pass all the qualification trials, and you must provide results."

Looking ahead, Chusovitina plans to establish the Oksana Chusovitina School of Gymnastics in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan. She envisions a space where she can share her wealth of experience with aspiring gymnasts, nurturing their talents and passions. 

"The academy is currently being built and will open this year in Tashkent. I will supervise all the gymnasts and provide my assistance," she said. 

"I will always be where gymnastics is, because gymnastics is my life," she said.